VISA CONFIRMED!

After waiting for approximately 7 weeks, I got an email stating that my working visa to Canada has been approved. I was sitting in my current 9-5:30 job when I got that email. I don't know what was harder: the thought of staying in the office for a few more weeks and thinking about what's to come or the fact that I wanted to scream my ass off in the office when I read it. But of course, I was holding in my excitement.

I went home to speak to the parents about it as we were preparing for Iftar (breaking the fast). They were both stunned: there was a mixture of emotions, minds were changing, questions were being thrown at me. It was intense.

I'm a firm believer of the saying: "Anything is possible" - If there's something you really want to do with your life, what exactly is stopping you? And if there is something stopping you, get rid of it. I started off looking on Google and reading through this BUNAC Work Canada website thinking: "This is going to be a long process" "I'm probably not going to get a visa allocated to me" and the famous "I'm not that interesting, my CV wouldn't get a second look." And due to my lack of confidence and belief in myself, I didn't get the visa in the first round. This was due to stress; the panic of filling out the applications, knowing that thousands of other people were literally doing the same thing as you. AND on a time limit. The fact is, I thought I wasn't going to get it. Halfway through the application, my mind went blank and I forgot my password. Time ran out and I was gutted.

When the second round of visas were released, I wanted it even MORE. That was the difference. I changed my whole perspective and told myself that I could do it. I managed to apply for it and get a visa reserved for me before it ran out in 2 minutes. Yep, in 2 minutes, 2.500 people were lucky enough to whizz through the application and get a visa reserved. You'll never know what you're capable of unless you try and try and try again. Don't be that person who gives up and regrets later. Dust yourself off and try again! VISA TIMELINE:

1) 8th November 2014 - Found out about BUNAC. Created an account.

2) 3rd February 2014 - Went to Victoria, London for an event about the programme.

3) 4th February 2015 - Convinced, I paid my £50 deposit to secure my place on the programme.

4) 12th March 2015 - 1st round of visas were released. Ran out in 12 minutes. I didn't get it.

5) 7th April 2015 - 2nd round of visas were released. Ran out in 2 minutes. I got it.

6) 15th April 2015 - Paid the $150 fee and uploaded my passport scan & up to date resume.

7) 24th April 2015 - Conditional Acceptance Letter received. Started the police check and CIC application.

8) 30th April 2015 - Sent off the police check. Paid £80 for a quicker service. Continued with Family Form application and Work Permit application.

9) 6th May 2015 - Police check received and online application submitted along with all required documents! Paid $100 fee.

10) 30th June 2015 - Visa approved.

xo